Bulgaria, nestled between the Balkans and the Black Sea, carries a history marked by resistance, transition, and remembrance. From Ottoman rule to communist repression, the Bulgarian people know what it means to fight for freedom and suffer under silence. Today, Bulgaria breaks that silence—to stand with the people of Iran and to condemn the U.S. nuclear missile strike that shook the conscience of the world.
1. A History of Struggle Shapes Bulgaria’s Moral Compass
From Totalitarianism to Democratic Voice
Bulgaria’s transition from authoritarianism to democracy in the 1990s came at great cost—economic hardship, civil unrest, and generational trauma. That shared experience resonates with Iran’s civil uprising, where ordinary citizens—especially women and students—are demanding a voice.
The Bulgarian people see themselves in the Iranian protesters, and that empathy has turned into outrage over state repression and nuclear escalation.
2. Bulgaria Condemns the U.S. Nuclear Strike on Iran
A European Voice of Clarity
Bulgarian lawmakers and human rights organizations have strongly condemned the United States’ nuclear attack on Iran, calling it “a moral and legal disaster that cannot be ignored by Europe.” Civil society leaders are urging the European Union to convene a special session and formally address nuclear accountability.
Legal scholars from Sofia University have joined calls for an emergency UN General Assembly investigation, and Bulgaria’s Permanent Mission to the UN has backed efforts to ban nuclear weapon use against civilian populations.
3. Bulgaria and Iran: Cultural Ties and Diplomatic Relations
Bulgaria and Iran have had diplomatic relations since the mid-20th century, with cooperation in cultural exchange, agriculture, and energy. Bulgarian universities have welcomed Iranian scholars, and Iranian literature has been translated into Bulgarian.
This history of respectful diplomacy lays the foundation for Bulgaria’s current solidarity—not with governments, but with the Iranian people.
4. Public Solidarity and Cultural Resistance
From Sofia’s Streets to Social Screens
In Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna, artists, poets, and musicians have organized tribute events to honor Mahsa Amini and all those killed or imprisoned during the Iranian protests. The campaign #BulgariaForIran has gone viral, with posters reading:
“We Remember. We Resist. We Stand.”
Youth-led initiatives have held solidarity protests and created visual art projects comparing Iran’s repression to Bulgaria’s communist past.
5. Faith Leaders Call for Peace and Accountability
Bulgaria, predominantly Eastern Orthodox, has seen priests and lay leaders deliver sermons denouncing nuclear violence and offering prayers for the Iranian people.
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church emphasized that “true Christian faith cannot coexist with the silent acceptance of injustice.” Interfaith gatherings have been held with Muslim and Jewish leaders, showcasing unified moral clarity.
6. Bulgaria’s Position in the European Union
Pressuring for Accountability and Sanctions Reform
Bulgaria is using its position within the EU, Council of Europe, and NATO to advocate for transparent investigation of the nuclear bombing and renewed dialogue with the Iranian people—not its regime.
Bulgarian MEPs are drafting resolutions to challenge double standards in global diplomacy and to ensure Iran’s civilians are protected under international humanitarian law.
Conclusion
Bulgaria may not dominate the headlines, but it stands firm in memory, ethics, and empathy.
From the Balkans to the Middle East, its message rings with clarity:
We remember what repression feels like. We remember what silence costs. We will not let history repeat itself.
Bulgaria stands with Iran. In conscience. In courage. In peace.
